> At a Glance
> – Parts of the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena might not be fully finished on time
> – The playing surface, practice rinks and dressing rooms will be ready for the Feb. 11 men’s opener
> – Capacity set at 11,800 seats, below original expectations
> – Why it matters: NHL stars are returning to the Olympics for the first time since 2014, and any delay could affect player safety and fan experience
The Milan-Cortina Olympics face a race to the finish line as the main hockey rink may be partially incomplete when the puck drops next February.
What’s Ready-and What Isn’t
IIHF President Luc Tardif confirmed Monday at the world junior championship that the essential competition areas will be operational.
> “We can be confident on that. You’re not going to go to Milano for nothing.”
However, he admitted the 11,800-seat capacity falls short of initial plans, calling it “a little bit short” but still “a nice setup for the Olympic Games.”
NHL Concerns Over Ice Quality
The NHL has voiced worries about both construction delays and the quality of the ice surface. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly warned last month that the league will withdraw its players if safety standards aren’t met.
- Smaller-than-NHL rinks (but still within IIHF rules)
- League sending its own experts to Italy for inspection
- Expectation that 2030 Olympics in France will feature standard NHL dimensions
Who’s in Charge?
Tardif emphasized that the International Olympic Committee and local organizers-not the IIHF-control the construction timeline. He plans to travel to Italy this week with NHL and NHLPA officials for a test event.
> “I’m confident about the quality of the infrastructure. We would have liked to sleep much better … I think we will have a good competition, but maybe you can ask me the question after (this week).”
Key Takeaways
- Essential hockey facilities will be ready by Feb. 11 men’s opener
- Final capacity is 11,800 seats, below original target
- NHL monitoring ice safety; will pull players if risks arise
- Standard NHL rink size expected for 2030 France Games
With the women’s tournament starting Feb. 5 and the men’s event on Feb. 11, organizers have weeks-not months-to finalize every last detail.
